ARA: Help, I ruined my bathtub

Over the weekend I dyed a friend’s hair a dark shade of red in my bathroom. I didn’t realize after rinsing out that there were dye & water droplets all over the edge of my tub … it just looked wet. The next morning I woke up to faint red dots all over the tub (think light red wine splatters) – my landlord is gonna freak! Anyone have any good ideas to get them out?

In all likelihood the dye is not strong enough to leave a lasting imprint on you tub otherwise it wouldn’t be approved for personal care products. What you are seeing is the dye in the thin film of soap. If it is an polycarbonite (plasitc) tub you can use those Mr. Clean Magic sponges (they are awesome!) and you’ll soon have a clean tub. if it is an old fashion cast iron tub with poreclin enamel you can use Ajax or any other abbrasive cleaner.

You should be fine, it’ll eventually come out if you clean it regularly with regular old bathroom cleaner. I’ve “ruined” many a sink in my day, but it comes out. As long as you aren’t moving out, say, next week… you’re fine.

Wipe it off with a damp paper towel, then use your normal bathroom cleaner on it. It will come off. I have used either Clorox Green Works or Method Tub-N-Tile spray & both have gotten hair dye off from my sink (even if its been there for a couple of days).

I would also suggest trying a cleaner with bleach in it. I’m partial to Soft Scrub with Bleach for tubs.

If those fail, The Queen of Clean Linda Cobb has a lot of household recipes for cleaning solutions, AND she answers questions posted on her Facebook page. She was a lifesaver for me when I bought a house. :)

I know that many of us grew up with a bottle of bleach next to the washing machine but like many things from the past it should not be considered an “old fashion” cure-all and should be used with caution. If the reader is “freaking out” because of hair dye spots I don’t have the confidence that he/she has a clue about bleach vapors and the impact on the soft tissue in our nose. Using bleach requires moderation (thank you derryX) so please try Mr. Clean first! More expensive but much safer.

Combine cream of tartar (buy a tiny jar in the spice section of your supermarket) with peroxide to create a paste. Use it in lieu of soap to scrub the stain… it will work.

I had a bad bathtub stain in a porcelain tub and I scoured the Internet for solutions after finding no good commercial remedies (i.e. Ajax, Comet, etc.). This is a super-cheap method and I think it should do the trick.

Also, it’s non-abrasive. Bleach might strip the finish and create a worse problem. This won’t leave any marks or erode the finish.

I believe a Plumber might tell you to use some Acetic Acid but you have to be very very careful and make sure you read the directions and wear the proper rubber gloves (not the hospital kind and not the dishwashing kind but real ones)…Call an Antique Restorer the ones who sell those used “Claw Tubs” generally they have to clean those up before they can sell them….

Bleach.. I dye my hair all the time.. Very dark.. I rinse in the shower which leaves a dark ring around the tub.. they make multi purpose kitchen and bath cleaner with bleach that you can get anywhere.. Spray, let sit for 10 -15 mins and rinse.. works wonders..PS: magic eraser wont work, especially if the dye has set in..

Nail polish remover is your best bet…my roommate got black hair dye all over our shower, tub, sink, walls, and curtains (i have NO idea how she managed that, but regardless), acetone removed it without too much scrubbing and the landlord was none the wiser

While on the topic of cleaning questions: About a year ago, I dropped a bottle of BBQ sauce in the kitchen and it shattered and exploded everywhere. I didn’t realize that a few bits splattered onto the ceiling as well and now I’m getting ready to move out. So…any thoughts on how to remove BBQ sauce from the ceiling? Thanks! :-)

What about non acetone nail polish remover??? Is it the acetone that melts the finish?

I should have provided more detail…I have used scrubbing bubbles, a magic eraser, and comet. I will be trying the cream of tartar/peroxide mix. Anything straight bleach or commercial cleaners I cannot use – the window in my bathroom is too small to prevent proper ventilation and I am an asthmatic…it gets triggered by heavy fumes.

hand sanitizing gel, put onto an area and rubbed gently should clean it and not damage. you do not say what the material of the tub is but newer ones are easily damaged. this involves the least risk. you could scrub the area with a toothbrush gently to work it in.